Here is a copy of a letter I am about to send to the Lotus factory. How's it
look? Should I change it? Have I left anything out?
Has anyone else every written them? Comments?
___________________________________________________
Philip Ethier
672 Orleans Street
Saint Paul, MN 55107-2676
USA
Lotus Cars, Ltd
Hethel, Norwich, Norfolk
England
NR14 8EZ
December 26, 1991
All my life I have dreamed of having a Lotus. I did not expect to have the
opportunity due to my limited means. Due to fortunate circumstances, I have
now acquired a Europa.
This is apparently a Lotus 65 Europa Series Two. It was represented as a
model-year 1970. The serial number is 65/2597. Engine is 0471. Transaxle is
00814. Engine and transaxle numbers match the identity plate. According to
the shop manual I have, Lotus changed the serial number scheme on January 1,
1970. That indicates to me that my car is a 1970 model built in 1969. Is this
correct? I believe that the engine is 1565cc. Is this correct?
I bought the car from a Minnesotan who bought it in Hawaii. I was in Hawaii
recently and spoke with the former owner. He told me that certain body
modifications on the car are in fact Lotus factory experiments. Although I do
not find these statements wholly credible, I would like the works to comment on
them. There are twin tanks on board. They appear to be S2 tanks, and not Twin
Cam models. The filler caps are located in squarish recesses in the sails
directly behind the doors. Directly behind the caps on each side is a
functional air-scoop. It is the entire height of the sail and protrudes about
1.5 inches from the sail. The scoop blends quite smoothly into the sail about
a foot aft of its opening, which is covered in fine screen. Inside the engine
compartment are short glassfibre ducts to bring the air in. There are
rearward-facing scoops over the double oval air exhaust holes on the engine
cover. There is fine screening over the exit of these scoops, and no screening
on the oval holes themselves. All of this glassfibre craftsmanship appears to
be to the standard of Europa manufacture. Is it possible that this is indeed a
works experiment? I would hate to remove these items whilst restoring the car
only to find later that they were indeed a Lotus design, however special.
There are heater cores in the scuttle area, but no tubes leading to them.
the ports on the engine block are covered with rubber-hose caps. I know that
BMC shipped MG cars to Hawaii without heaters. Did Lotus ship cars to Hawaii
without heating equipment?
The paint code on the plate is LO7. Is this yellow? The car was apparently
yellow originally, then painted a metallic blue which some Lotus owners have
told me looks like a factory colour. The car was then poorly painted black and
gold in a feeble attempt to duplicate a John Player Special. This seems
especially foolish to me in Hawaii's sunny clime.
I intend to use the car for autocross. This is the USA name for time trials
around plastic pylons, generally held on tarmac car parks. I would be using
tyres which are rather stickier than those used when the car was new straining
things prettty thoroughly. What advice does the works have for me regarding
suspension preparation for this? The engine has had a stock rebuild. I do not
plan any engine modifications. A Weber 45DCOE, preheated intake manifold, and
steel-tube exhaust manifold were fitted by the last Hawaiian owner, and I plan
to retain them.
According to the receipt, the mechanic milled the cylinder head .020 inches
during the rebuild. I see now in the manual that we are cautioned not to
exceed .012 inches. What type of problem can I expect? The car has been
driven perhaps 3000 milessince the rebuild. Should I re-torque the head at
this time?
I would very much appreciate any type of information you can supply me about
this Lotus car. Thank you in advance for your efforts.
Sincerely,
Philip Ethier
______________________________
Phil Ethier, THE RIGHT LINE, 672 Orleans Street, Saint Paul, MN 55107-2676
h (612) 224-3105, w (612) 298-5324 phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov or uiucuxc!pwcs!phile
"The workingman's GT-40" - Colin Chapman
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Login name: phile In real life: Philip J Ethier
Phone: 298-5324
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